Means for use in sealing fiber boxes, cartons, and the like.



' J. C. JOHNSON.

MEANS FOR USE IN SEALING FIBER BOXES, CARTONS, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED [WC-5.24, I914- Patented June 15, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I- INVENTOR.

JOHN C. JOHN SON.

A TTORNE Y.

THE NORRIS PETERS CD, PHOTGLITHO., WASHINGTON. n

J.C.JOHNSON. MEANS FOR USE IN SEALING FIBER BOXES, CARTONS, AND THE LIKE.

APPLlCATlON FILED AUG-24, 1914- 1,142,813. Patented June 15, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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INVENTOR. JOHN C. JOHNSON WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO., PHOTOLITHOH WA'SHINGTON, D. c.

J. C. JOHNSON.

MEANS FOR USE |N,SEAL|NG FIBER BOXES, CARTONS, AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED AUG-24111914.

1,142,813. Patented June 15, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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C :1 I 0 c H C II l 3 o 32 3 2 3/ 3 Z W I L z 3 2 9 Z Z 3 IN V EN TOR. JOHN c. JOHNSON.

ATTORNEY.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, p c,

P FFIQ JOHN C. JOHNSOIYLOF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

MEANS FOR USE IN SEALING FIBER BOXES, CAR/IONS, AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J OHN C. Jon'NsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Means for Use in Sealing Fiber Boxes, Cartons, and the like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. This invention relates to certain new and useful means especially adapted for use in sealing boxes, cartons, and the like of fiberboard, heavy card or paste board, corrugated-board, and analogous material.

As is well known, boxes and cartons of thekind stated, and particularly such boxes or cartons of the larger sizes designed specially to contain, and as shipping receptacles or containers for, heavy goods, such, .for instance, as bars of soap, are generally supplied by the manufacturer to the consumer in a knocked-down, folded, flat condition. When the box or carton is to be used, the same is opened up or unfolded and assumes usually a rectangular form, the loose flaps on each of the opposite sides of the box being folded in upon one another ready to be sealed or secured together, which is largely accomplished by means of glueor other adhesive material applied to the matching or contacting faces of the several flaps. In so sealing the flaps of thebox or carton, the practice has heretofore generally been, so far as I am aware, to first apply the glue or other adhesive material to the flaps on one side of the box and then allow the box or carton to stand or rest, with its said side under-most, on a conveyer or other place of support a sufficient length of time to permit the glue or other adhesive material to set and harden, the contents of the box oricarton serving in this operation as a weight to hold or maintain the flaps in proper sealing position. Afterward glue or other adhesive material is applied to the flaps on the other or opposite side of the box,'the box overturned, and the box then again allowed to stand or rest, but with its said other side now under-most, on the place of support a sufficient and equal length of time to'permit the glue or other adhesive material to set flaps in sealing position. Such repeated Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 15, 1915. Application filed August 24, 1914. Serial No. 858,227.

operations, it will be evident, consume considerable time. w

Hence the principal object of my present invention is to provide means whereby the sets of flaps on both the oppositesides of the box may be simultaneously firmly held and maintainedin sealing position during the setting and hardening of the glue or other adhesive material, with the result that the two sets of fiapsof' the box mav be completely sealed in one operation. and in far lesstime than has heretofore been required for such purpose With the above and other objects in View, 7

present invention resides in thev pro- VlSlOI]. of a pair of cooperating tray-like members adapted to yieldingly fit and engage the box or carton at both of its opposite sides, the box or carton being in un-j folded condition with its flaps inturned readyfor sealing and glue or other adhesive material being applied thereto, and to": be, releasably locked or clamped together with erative locked position with a box being,

sealed therebetween; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, partly broken away; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the same on the line 33, Fig. 2; Fig. 4c is a top plan view of a slightly modified form of box-sealing member embodying my invention; Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 5 5, Fig. 4, apair of said slightlymodified box-sealing members being shown in cooperative position with a box (shown in dotted lines) being sealed therebetween; Fig; 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6+6, Fig. 4, a pair of said slightly modified box-sealing mem V lines) being sealed therebetween; and, Fig.

7 is fragmentary sectional View on the line 7-7, Fig. 2.

Referring to said drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the sev ral views, 1 and 2 int icate the cooperating box-sealing members as entireties, each of said members, as will be seen, having the form substantially of a preferably rectangular shallow tray. Since these members 1 and 2 are substantially alike in form, size, and construction, member 1 only will be here specifically described, the description thereof and reference characters applied thereto being equally applicable to its cotiperating member 2.

Member 1, which is of suitable size to cor respond with and tightly fit exteriorly the particular size of box to be sealed, includes a preferably rectangular frame made up of or comprising longitudinal members 3-3 and cross or transverse members 4-4 suitably fixed together at their meeting ends, members 3-3 and 44 being of suitable material and preferably curved or rounded, as at 0, on their inner faces, so that, when members 1 and 2 are being operatively placed upon a box to be sealed, the same will direct and force the flaps of the box inwardly into sealing position. Fixed to and strengtheningsaid frame at its corners are suitable preferably metallic angle members or brackets 5. Fixed at oradjacent their ends to, and upon one outer side face of, preferably longitudinal members 3-3 of said frame, are cross members or outer bottom sections 6-6 also of any suitable material, members 6-6 being spaced apart preferably centrally of said frame to provide a space or slot, as at 7, therebetween, as seen particularly in Fig. 1. Fitting flatwise within said frame formed of said members 3-3 and 44, and having a size preferably somewhat less than the interior area of said frame, is a preferably flat rectan ular member or inner bottom section 8. *ixed transversely, and on the'outer face, of inner bottom member 8, is a crosspiece 9 fitting loosely in the said space or slot' 7 between said fixed outer bottom sections 6-6, as seen clearly in Fig. 3, cross-piece 9 being adapted to not only serve as a guide for inner bottom 8 in its yielding movements relatively to said fixed outer bottom members 6-6, but to also prevent lateral movement of the same relatively thereto On its outer face, cross-piece 9 is preferably recessed throughout its length, as at 10, and disposed lengthwise in said recess and fixed to said cross-piece 9, is a preferably metallic strap 11 adapted'to securely hold inner bottom 8 in proper operative relation to said frame and its said outer bottom sections 6-6, strap 11 at its ends being bent inwardly and then outwardly to normally flatwise bear upon said longitudinal frame members 3-3, as seen clearly in Figs. '1 and 2. Interposed between each of said fixed outer bottom sections 6-6 and said inner bottom member 8, are leaf or flat springs 12-12, these springs being preferably fixed centrally thereof to said inner bottom member 8 and at their ends bearing yieldingly upon said outer fixed bottom sections 6-6, respectively. Also pref erably interposed and suitably secured between said fixed outer bottom sections 6-6 and said inner bottom 8, are auxiliary yielding members in the form of coiled springs 18 adapted to co-act with said springs 12-12 in yieldingly holding said inner bot tom 8 flatwise away from said fixed outer bottom sections 6-6 with said strap 11. engaging flatwise at its opposite ends with said longitudinal members 3-3 of said frame. It will be observed by reference particularly to Fig. 3 that inner bottom 8 is somewhat throughout its margin spaced inwardly away from said frame members 3-3 and 4-4, so as to provide an interior space therebetween and said frame, as at 14, for the corners and edges of the box being sealed. Fixed to, and on the inner face of each of, said cross members 4-4 of member 1, are hingednormally downwardly disposed (reference being had to Figs. 1 and 3) preferably metallic, strips or elongated plates 15-15, respectively, and mounted upon said plates or strips are spring-pressed clamping members 16-16, respectively. Fixed to, and on the inner face of each of, said cross members 4-4 of member 2 in cooperative position relatively to said strips or plates 15-15, are upwardly disposed (reference being again had to Figs. 1 and 3) preferably metallic strips or elongated plates 17-17,

respectively, which are provided on their outer face with longitudinally disposed rows of teeth 18-18, respectively, with which teeth said clamping members 16-16 are adapted to releasably engage when said members 1 and 2 are in operative position with a box therebetween to detachably fasten said members together.

In use or operation, a box B in unfolded condition with its flaps (4-64 and 6-72 inturned for sealing and with glue or other adhesive material applied thereto, is set within tray-member 2. Tray-member 1 is then placed upon the opposite side or end of the box, all as shown especially in Fig. 3, when, proper pressure being applied, clamping members 16-16 will be forced into engagement with said teeth 18-18 against the tension of said springs 12-12 and 18, said springs being compressed and said inner bottoms 8 of said members oppositely flatwise yielding outwardly when said clamping members are being forced into locking engagement with said teeth. Members 1 and Q'being so locked or clamped together with box B therebetween, it will be seen that the two sets of flaps of the box are firmly held together in proper, accurate sealing position, the said flaps being prevented from slipping or otherwise projecting over the sides orends of the box. The box B with said members 1 and 2 locked thereupon is now permitted to rest on a suitable place of support to allow the glue or other adhesive material applied to said flaps to set and harden, and it will be obvious that, the sets of flaps on'both opposite sides of the box being simultaneously held in proper sealing position, approximately just half the length or period of time for sealing is now consumed through the use of my invention than that which has here tofore been required, so far as I am aware. The box having been permitted to stand the required length of time, members 1 and 2 are further slightly yieldingly forced together, clamping members 16 and 16' disengaged from said teeth 18-18, and members 1 and 2 then easily removed from around the box, when the box, with its contents sealed therein, is ready for storage,

shipment, or other desired purpose. Members 1 and 2 being removed from about the box, clamping-members 1616 and their said supporting plates 1515, being preferably hinged, as described, on said member 1, may now be swung to project within the area of the frame of said member, member 2 superposed on member 1, and said members then conveniently stored away or moved from place to place about a plant, factory, or the like.

i The modified form of my invention shown particularly in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 is greatly similar to the form of my invention hereinbefore described and shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3,- the principal diflerence'being that the tray-like members of this form of my invention, instead of having an inner yielding bottom in one integral piece, are each provided with an inner bottom formed of separate sections separately yieldable, so as to provide for elevations or depressions in the flaps of the box being sealed due to, or caused by, elevations or depressions in the packed contents of the box.

Reference being had particularly to Figs. 4c, 5, and 6 showing this modified form of my invention, the tray-like members 19 and 20 each likewise include a preferably rec tangular frame formed of longitudinal members 2121 and cross or transverse members 2222. Extending preferably longitudinally of the frame and adjacent its said longitudinal members 2121, are outer bottom sections 2323 fixed at their ends to said frame cross members 2222". Also extending preferably longitudinally of the frame adjacent said fixed outer bottom sec-,

tions 23'28 are preferably metallic bars 24;24 also suitably'fixed at their ends to said frame cross members 2222. Loosely fitting on each of said bars, but prevented from sidewise or lateral movement on said bars by means of small annular portions or rings 25 integral with, or otherwise fixed to, said bars, are staples or the like 26, of which there are preferably four in number arranged'in pairs on said bars, as seen particularly in Figs. 4 and 6. Lying within said frame formed of said members 21-21 and 2222, is an inner bottom formed of sections or members in the form preferably of flat boards 27'27 and 2828, each of said sections being fixedly engaged by a staple 26 and thereby swingably held in proper operative relation to the fixed outer bottom of the frame. Also extending longitudinally of said frame intermediate said bars 24 2 l and also fixed at its ends to said frame cross members 2222, is a central outer bottom section 29, and interposed between said outer bottom section 29 and said inner bottom sections 2727 2828 are pairs of preferably fiat or leaf springs 30-30 and 31 -31 each fixed prefand erably centrally to said outer bottom section 29, said pair of springs 30-30 yieldingly engaging at its ends with said pair of inner bottom sections 2727 and said pair 1 of springs 3131 yieldingly hearing at its ends upon said other pair of inner bottom sections 2828. Also interposed between said outer bottom sections 2323 and 29 and said inner bottom sections 27-27 and 2828 are auxiliary yielding members in the form of coiled springs 32 adapted with said pairs of leaf springs to yieldingly hold said inner bottom sections away from said fixed outer bottom sections. Theuse and operation of this form of my invention with its tray-like members19 and 20 is substantially similar to that of the form of my invention with its tray-like members 1. and V 2, but it will be evident that, due to the sectional form' of their inner yielding bottoms, the inner bottoms thereof will variously yield to accommodate depressions or elevations in the flaps ofthe box 'on mem 7 Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters lat ent is: I

1. In a device of the kind described, a

pair of cooperating tray-like members 1 adapted to fit a box on opposite sides thereof and when engaging a box being oppositely disposed relatively to each other,-eachof said members including a frame, an outer fixed bottom section on said frame, and an inner yieldable bottom section Within said frame, and releasable means for detachably fastening said members together in operative position With a box therebetween; substantially as described.

2. In a device of the kind described, a pair of cooperating tray-like members adapted to fit a box on opposite sides thereof and when engaging a box being oppositely disposed relatively to each other, each of said members including a frame, an outer fixed bottom section on said frame, an inner bottom section Within said frame, said inner bottom section being flativise yieldable relative to said outer bottom section, and means for holding said inner bottom section in operative relation to said outer bottom section, and releasable means for detachably fastening said members together in operative position with a box therebetiveen; substantially as described.

3. In a device of the lrind described, a pair of cotiperating tray-like members adapted to lit a box on opposite sides thereof and When engaging a box being oppositely disposed relatively to each other, each of said members including a frame, an outer fixed bottom section on said frame, an inner bottom section within said frame flat- Wise disposed relatively to said fixed outer bottom section, means for holding said innor bottom section in operative relation to said outer bottom section, and yielding members interposed between said outer and inner bottom sections, and releasable means for detachably fastening said tray-like members together in operative position With a box therebetween; substantially as described.

t. In a device of tie kind described, a pair of cooperating tray-like members adapted to fit a box on opposite sides thereof and when engaging a box being oppositely disposed relatively to ach other, each of said members including f ame, spaced apart outer bottom sections -xed on sait frame, an inner botton. section Within said frame, a cross-piece n said inner bottom section loosely fitting etvveen said outer fixed bottom sections, a fixed strap on said cross-piece normally engaging at its ends with said frame, and springs interposed between said fixed outer bottom sections and said inner bottom section, and releasable means for detachably fastening said members together in operative position With a box therebetween; substantially as described.

5. In a device of the kind described, a pear of cooperating tray-llke members adapted to fit a box on opposite sides thereof and When engaging a box being oppositely disposed relatively to each other, each of said members comprising a frame having a fixed outer bottom and a yieldable inner bottom, and co-acting clamping members on said frames adapted to detachably fasten said tray-like members together in operative position with a box therebetvveen; substantially as described.

6. In a device of the kind described, a pair of cooperating tray-like members adapted to fit a box on opposite sides thereof and when engaging a box being oppositely disposed relatively to each other, each of said membe s comprising a frame having a fixed outer bottom and a yieldable inner bottom, a plate on one of said members, said plate being provided with a row of teeth, and a clamping member on. the other of said tray-like members adapted to releasably engage With said teeth to detachably fasten said tray-like members together in operative position with a box therebetwveen; substantially as described.

7. ln a device of the kind described, a pair of coiiperating tray-like members adapted to fit a box on opposite sides thereof and When engaging a box being oppositely disposed relatively to each other, each of said members comprising a frame having a fixed outer bottom and a yieldable inner bottom, a plate on one of said members, said plate being provided With a row of teeth, and a clamping member pivotally mounted on the other of said tray-like members, said clamping-member being adapted to releasably engage with said teeth When said traylike members are in operative position with a box therebetWeen to detachably fasten said tray-like members together; substantially as described.

8. In a device of the kind described, a pair of cooperating tray-like frames adapted to fit a box on opposite sides thereof and when engaging abox being oppositely disposed relatively to each other, one of said frames being provided interiorly with a flativise yieldable bottom, and releasably means for detachably fastening said members together in operative position With a box therebetiveen; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

, JOHN G. JOHNSON.

Witnesses lnnnn M. BonANNoN, J. W. NAYLOR.

t'opies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of ratents,

Washington, D. (3. 

